SANTA BARBARA’S ONLY SCHOOL FOR GIFTED CHILDREN ANNOUNCES OPENING OF KINDERGARTEN

Admissions Now Open to Kindergarteners & Grades 1-8 at The Knox School of Santa Barbara

The Knox School of Santa Barbara, for Gifted and Talented Children, announces that it will be opening its doors to Kindergarteners this Fall for the 2018/2019 school year. This new program welcomes formally identified high IQ learners who will be age 5 this Fall. Knox parents will host Fireside Chats on January 23, and February 6, 2018 for more information. The deadline for enrollment is February 26, 2018.

The Knox School believes in the importance of identifying giftedness at an early age. Studies have shown that young gifted children (ages birth to 8) are among the most underserved populations of gifted children. Early identification and support has been shown to significantly increase psychological and intellectual wellbeing of the child. However, gifted children of all ages remain underserved in the general educational system and in our culture.

“Early detection of gifted abilities, followed by an ability-based, engaging curriculum is key to allowing a gifted child to reach their fullest potential,” aid Angela Tanner, Ph.D, Founder and Director of The Knox School. “Our Kindergarten program sets young children onto a path for an exceptional educational career.”

Gifted children working under a traditional age-based curriculum can be misunderstood and mislabeled when their intellectual needs aren’t met with ability-based challenges. Failure to meet a child’s needs can lead some toward social issues, behavioral problems, and squandering of their potential.

“The tendency toward labeling gifted children who do not fit a mainstream mold as something other than gifted is highly problematic. Many of the difficulties gifted students experience disappear when their educational climates are adapted to their level and pace of learning. Once their needs are addressed and appropriately provided for on an individual basis, these children blossom,” stated Dr. Tanner.

Previously serving gifted children in grades 1-8, Knox’s expansion to a K-8 school provides gifted Kindergarteners with a play-based, early childhood Reggio Emilia approach to learning, which feeds into the school’s elementary and middle school gifted education program. As with the school’s existing programs, Kindergarten students will have classes in Fine Art, Music, World Language, and STEAM, as well as the opportunity to accelerate through the curriculum as guided by ability and interest.

Applications for all grades at The Knox School are now being accepted through February 26, 2018. Interested parents are invited to attend a casual Fireside Chat hosted by Knox school families on January 23rd or February 6th to learn more about why they chose Knox for their children. To RSVP or for more details, visit www.KnoxSchoolSB.org or call (805) 222-0107.

The Knox School of Santa Barbara has proudly been serving gifted and talented students in first through eighth grades since 2013, and is proud to extend its program to Kindergarteners in 2018.